Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IDB RAS) performs research in basic and applied areas of Developmental Biology. We aim to unravel the mechanisms and patterns of development in living organisms at the molecular, genetic, cellular, tissue and organismal levels. We obtain new knowledge that helps to gain insight into the evolution of development and origin of biodiversity on the Earth.
IDB RAS is comprised of 17 laboratories and research groups working in the following areas:
- Molecular and genetic basis of early development and cell differentiation;
- Morphological, cellular and molecular basis of morphogenesis, growth and regeneration;
- Stem cells in development and regeneration;
- Mechanisms of gametogenesis and sex determination;
- Nervous, endocrine and immune systems as integrators of developmental processes;
- Robustness of developmental processes;
- Evo-Devo and Eco-Devo.
The IDB RAS was founded in 1917 by the world famous biologist Nikolay K. Koltzov (= Koltsov, Koltzoff), and, until 1967, it was called the Institute of Experimental Biology. The young researchers who came to the Institute grew into prominent scientists who had a great influence on the various fields of biology: Sergei S. Chetverikov, Boris L. Astaurov, and Nikolay V. Timofeev-Resovsky. Koltzov' idea was to create a multidisciplinary institute that studies the phenomena of life using experimental approach. This idea brought together biologists working in various fields - genetics, cytology, embryology and physiology, and using a wide variety of methods and model objects. Now days, the IDB RAS scientists maintain the multi- and interdisciplinary approaches in their studies.